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Back in November 2024, national team playmaker George Ford appeared disappointed during the match.

The replacement was brought on off the sidelines to assist England close out an historic victory versus the All Blacks, however missed a decisive kick and drop-goal while his team were beaten by two points.

In the wake of those pivotal failures, the player was required to strive to get another shot to bring victory to the English team.

He saw just 25 minutes of action during this year's Six Nations however a series of impressive performances, especially during the warm-weather tour of Argentina and the United States when the Smith players had departed for British and Irish Lions duty, put him firmly back in the starting mix.

At 32 years old fully validated Steve Borthwick's faith by selecting him facing the Kiwis, but the Sale Sharks playmaker produced a man-of-the-match display to support the home team to a breakthrough triumph versus the Kiwis on home soil since 2012.

The decisive instant came when Ford successfully executed consecutive drop-kicks just before the break.

It helped England overcome a 12-0 deficit to reduce the margin to 12-11 at the break, before Borthwick's star-studded bench repeatedly excelled after halftime to support England to a decisive 33-19 win.

"You have to give credit to the veteran members on our squad, notably George," the coach stated. "During that phase where he hit those drop-goals, he managed the game absolutely brilliantly.

"Last year I thought George entered and performed exceptionally well [facing the Kiwis].

"A kick hit the post and he tried a difficult drop-goal, yet he performed excellently.

"He's a tremendous guide, an outstanding athlete plus a better human being. We are privileged to have him in our squad."

Drop-goals 'part of the strategy'

The All Blacks began rapidly at Allianz Stadium, racing into a substantial early margin via touchdowns by two key players.

After Lawrence's powerful finish, the fly-half's successive drop-goals ensured England returned to the halftime break with psychological advantage.

"The challenging thing during those periods occurs as the display indicates twelve to zero, we are able to adhere to our plan and our convictions the optimal approach to play the game is," Ford stated.

"We got ourselves back into contention and we knew were we to commence the latter half effectively, with substitutes entering, we found ourselves in an advantageous spot.

"Although facing 15 minutes left, we found ourselves near our try line with a yellow card, meaning we faced difficulties during that phase also.

"I believe this illustrates international rugby involves - who manages best in those circumstances the best."

The two attempts happened within close succession as Ford who successfully converted three crucial kicks during a victory against Argentina during the 2023 World Cup, demonstrated his full international experience.

Ford converted two drop-goals representing Sale in a Prem game played in difficult conditions at Bath - this demonstrates a talent he is well-practised in.

"These attempts is always in the plan," Ford added.

"The coach is such an outstanding manager since he continually advising me, and correctly so as three points are crucial during any phase of the game."

Ford marshalled his team superbly throughout the match all game, making smart decisions - both to compete and locating gaps in the opposition's territory.

His signature 'spiral bomb' also bamboozled the New Zealand player, who failed to regather.

Having started the national team's triumph against Australia during the autumn series, Ford handed over the fly-half position to Fin Smith against Fiji a week later.

However the greatest challenge theoretically this season came against the experienced New Zealand team, so Ford returned to his spot.

The national side, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak of ten, face Argentina this month creating intrigue to discover if Borthwick goes back to Fin Smith or continues with Ford.

Regardless of the selection, Ford proved with two years remaining prior to global competition that there is plenty of play remaining within him.